VIDEO: Bradford Tunnel Project plans go on public view

Proposals for a Victorian-style underground market in the heart of Bradford's city centre are now open for the public to view, and subject to planning approval, developers say they hope to open in time for Christmas.

The 'Bradford Tunnel Project', the brainchild of Graham Hall, of Yeadon-based developers Sunbridge Wells Ltd, would see a maze of tunnels under Ivegate, Upper Miller Gate, and Sunbridge Road turned into a contemporary space with two new bars, a restaurant and 12 retail units.

Details of the privately-funded £1 million scheme are now available to view and comment on until August 1, with Bradford Council expected to make a final decision soon after.

Mr Hall said he was originally told about the historic tunnel system 20 years ago, but realised its potential when he first saw the site for himself in 2006.

"I came in to have a look and started trying to hatch ideas of what you could do down here," he said. "The idea is almost a living, working Victorian Museum, but with a contemporary feel.

"It will be like the old meeting the new."

The full complex will incorporate 43 Ivegate, 1 to 11 Upper Millergate and 38 to 44 Sunbridge Road, with developers hoping to attract young entrepreneurs with "new and exciting" businesses.

"We want to give a chance to youth," said Mr Hall. "If it works, then all fair and good, but if doesn't, they won't lose a lot of money as it will be flexible monthly contracts.

"If you don't try, you never know."

The 12,000sq ft application site, formerly a prison, air-raid shelter, plumber's yard, brewery and nightclub down the years, is situated in the City Centre Conservation area, with proposed access via City Park and Sunbridge Road.

All the buildings involved above ground level are grade two listed, and the developer states it will ensure the character of the Victorian structures remain.

There would be Victorian-style units running along the tunnel's internal street with a large glass area above.

A courtyard would have an open-plan glass and steel staircase leading to Upper Miller Gate. This would be designed to bring light to the tunnel system, covered by a Victorian-style atrium entrance and exit to the shopping area below.

Students at Bradford College have been involved in designing potential interior units for the shops, and Mr Hall said a number of firms had already shown interest in renting the space.

"This would be Bradford's own Victoria Quarter, a vibrant and exciting area to make the city thrive again, all in a setting in keeping with its history and ambience," he said.

"Feedback we've had so far has been very positive, everyone has been wanting to come in and have a look around.

"The project is on-track, we've removed 490 tonnes of timber and rubble, and if the planning is approved, we can get all the tradesmen in.

"Everything is on time and on budget, and the project is going exactly how we want it to go.

"Hopefully, the whole development should be finished and open for Christmas this year."

I think this is a really good idea if done properly. A place for small independents in an environment completely different to the run of the mill city centre street, not that Bradford is run of the mill. It would actually be a good reason for going into Bradford just to see what it's like.

I think this is a really good idea if done properly. A place for small independents in an environment completely different to the run of the mill city centre street, not that Bradford is run of the mill. It would actually be a good reason for going into Bradford just to see what it's like.BD16

As with the announcement of the medical Enterprise Zone this shows that private capital and dedicated entrepreneurs can run rings round our socialist Council when it comes to developing Bradford.

All the Council do is waste our taxes producing glossy brochures full of pie in the sky ideas that never get implemented. As long as Bradford has a Labour Council it will continue to fail. Command economies do not work.

As with the announcement of the medical Enterprise Zone this shows that private capital and dedicated entrepreneurs can run rings round our socialist Council when it comes to developing Bradford.
All the Council do is waste our taxes producing glossy brochures full of pie in the sky ideas that never get implemented. As long as Bradford has a Labour Council it will continue to fail. Command economies do not work.pcmanners

pcmanners wrote:
As with the announcement of the medical Enterprise Zone this shows that private capital and dedicated entrepreneurs can run rings round our socialist Council when it comes to developing Bradford.

All the Council do is waste our taxes producing glossy brochures full of pie in the sky ideas that never get implemented. As long as Bradford has a Labour Council it will continue to fail. Command economies do not work.

What, like the ten years of conservative council really helped Bradford?
I think they are all as bad as each other.

[quote][p][bold]pcmanners[/bold] wrote:
As with the announcement of the medical Enterprise Zone this shows that private capital and dedicated entrepreneurs can run rings round our socialist Council when it comes to developing Bradford.
All the Council do is waste our taxes producing glossy brochures full of pie in the sky ideas that never get implemented. As long as Bradford has a Labour Council it will continue to fail. Command economies do not work.[/p][/quote]What, like the ten years of conservative council really helped Bradford?
I think they are all as bad as each other.dazbot

Yes, called the Black cat. it was owned by a semi-famous wrestler whose name I can't recall. It was closed by the Council because, they claimed, it was being used by drug dealers and prostitutes.

[quote][p][bold]philmorris[/bold] wrote:
if I am correct it was night club in the 6os?[/p][/quote]Yes, called the Black cat. it was owned by a semi-famous wrestler whose name I can't recall. It was closed by the Council because, they claimed, it was being used by drug dealers and prostitutes.FinlandStation

I'm fascinated by this scheme, love the olde worlde stuff. This would be a truly excellent addition to the City Park area, hopefully in tandem with a refurbished Odeon building. Can't help thinking a simple re jigging of the Magistrates courts main entrance to either having it opposite the town hall or better still having it at the inner ring road end would add even more to what could/is become a thriving arts, music and theatre quarter including this olde worle/ modern tunnels scheme.

I'm fascinated by this scheme, love the olde worlde stuff. This would be a truly excellent addition to the City Park area, hopefully in tandem with a refurbished Odeon building. Can't help thinking a simple re jigging of the Magistrates courts main entrance to either having it opposite the town hall or better still having it at the inner ring road end would add even more to what could/is become a thriving arts, music and theatre quarter including this olde worle/ modern tunnels scheme.bcfc1903

I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?Albion.

Albion. wrote:
I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .bcfc1903

Albion. wrote:
I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see.
Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.Albion.

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.basil fawlty

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.Albion.

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the &quot;once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.

[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.[/p][/quote]Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.bcfc1903

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the &quot;once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.

As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.

[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.[/p][/quote]Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.[/p][/quote]As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.Albion.

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the &quot;once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.

As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.

What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.

[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.[/p][/quote]Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.[/p][/quote]As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.[/p][/quote]What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.bcfc1903

Yes, called the Black cat. it was owned by a semi-famous wrestler whose name I can't recall. It was closed by the Council because, they claimed, it was being used by drug dealers and prostitutes.

Shirley Crabtree - aka Big Daddy. In the wrestling world of the 70s, he was very famous.

[quote][p][bold]FinlandStation[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]philmorris[/bold] wrote:
if I am correct it was night club in the 6os?[/p][/quote]Yes, called the Black cat. it was owned by a semi-famous wrestler whose name I can't recall. It was closed by the Council because, they claimed, it was being used by drug dealers and prostitutes.[/p][/quote]Shirley Crabtree - aka Big Daddy. In the wrestling world of the 70s, he was very famous.mrs walker

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

Unfortunately it think the city will never be what it was in the 80's, would like to think so but !, the city was buzzing then, all the clubs were busy, cracking pubs, Georges hall pulling in all the top bands of the time, the Arndale was somewhere you looked forward to visiting on a saturday, but its been in steady decline ever since, its a shame really, pre- eastern european immigration influx ?

[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]Unfortunately it think the city will never be what it was in the 80's, would like to think so but !, the city was buzzing then, all the clubs were busy, cracking pubs, Georges hall pulling in all the top bands of the time, the Arndale was somewhere you looked forward to visiting on a saturday, but its been in steady decline ever since, its a shame really, pre- eastern european immigration influx ?Bikerbeardy

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the &quot;once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.

As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.

What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.

There might be 6,000 listed buildings, unfortunately many owners are happy to put up satellite dishes, sandblast the walls, change the doors and winddows remove the gardens to park family buses and add on extensions all without planning permission

[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.[/p][/quote]Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.[/p][/quote]As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.[/p][/quote]What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.[/p][/quote]There might be 6,000 listed buildings, unfortunately many owners are happy to put up satellite dishes, sandblast the walls, change the doors and winddows remove the gardens to park family buses and add on extensions all without planning permissionColin Allcars

Albion. wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?

North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .

North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.

Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.

The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the &quot;once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.

Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.

As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.

What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.

There might be 6,000 listed buildings, unfortunately many owners are happy to put up satellite dishes, sandblast the walls, change the doors and winddows remove the gardens to park family buses and add on extensions all without planning permission

That does not happen regarding any of the over 6,000 listed buildings in Bradford, of course any changes to other buildings regarding planning permission should go through that procedure and if that isn't the case retrospective planning could be sought, if that fails the changes to buildings in question should be dismantled.

[quote][p][bold]Colin Allcars[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]basil fawlty[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Albion.[/bold] wrote: I would wait until it opens before declaring it Bradford's new wonder. Obviously it could be a huge boost to the centre or a stepping stone for budding entrepreneurs. There are as yet too many possibles, will the bars be frequented by those who have caused the closure of so many others, will the shops actually sell anything anyone actually needs, or will they be full of arty ornamental trinkets? I hope it's a great success, but let's wait and see. Slightly off topic, I was actually in Bradford this morning and was slightly disheartened by the desolation of Darley Street, is the future to be one shopping mall and this little underground place?[/p][/quote]North Parade is certainly on the up, the new square and pedestrian way when built on Kirkgate linking Westfield with Darley Street and the Kirkgate centre will be a good addition .[/p][/quote]North Parade isn't a patch on what it used to be and if the decline of Darley Street continues will end up even more isolated. Too much papering over the cracks as usual is going on.[/p][/quote]Bradford as a whole isn't a patch on what it was, but by Bradford's standards there does seem to be a real surge in the number of new developments taking place. Nobody can confidently predict that the city centre will get back to what it was in the 1980s, as a major competitor to Leeds, but why not? Improving the shopping and leisure provision in the city centre should be the easier part of the revival because it is currently disproportionately lacking for the size of the city. Its the office jobs that Bradford needs to win back before the city centre can really take off.[/p][/quote]The level that it's now at and it's image as a third world city, will mean a huge upsurge is needed. Not impossible but unlikely. To be honest, I don't subscribe to the "once great city" that some mention, maybe during the boom years of the mills, but I started work in the city in the early 60s and I thought it a sh!thole then! It's gone steadily downhill since then. The future is bazaars and the like I think. I'm not moaning, I'm just being realistic, it seems to me that too many in authority are in denial of reality.[/p][/quote]Can't agree with any of that, it's neither being realistic or even a true picture of Bradford, just a throw away comment with what can only be described as unsavoury undertones. Third world, hardly but hey, whatever floats your boat!! Bradford has over 6,000 listed buildings, but like all major UK cities also has areas of poor housing. The City centre is actually improving fast, with various schemes either just finished, under way or in the pipeline. To say the future of Bradford retail is bazaars is actually bizarre, ludicrous and complete rubbish. In 1910, Bradford was one of the richest cities in Europe, personally I think it's still great, but that's just my opinion, plainly it was a great and rich city.[/p][/quote]As you well know, the majority of people don't agree with any of your council sphincter licking comments and I doubt that many would agree with you here. Anyway you are free to disagree and express your opinion but my opinion is that you're sleepwalking into a ticking bomb.[/p][/quote]What has this thread got to do with the council, you really are a total buffoon. Many, as in what exactly, this site? It's hardly a scientific cross section is it. Sleep walking into a ticking bomb, oh dear :-) You do know Labour took control of Bradford Council, someone must voting. This site does not represent anything other than 20 or 30 points of view, that's it. Who in their right mind would form any sort of opinion reading this stuff.[/p][/quote]There might be 6,000 listed buildings, unfortunately many owners are happy to put up satellite dishes, sandblast the walls, change the doors and winddows remove the gardens to park family buses and add on extensions all without planning permission[/p][/quote]That does not happen regarding any of the over 6,000 listed buildings in Bradford, of course any changes to other buildings regarding planning permission should go through that procedure and if that isn't the case retrospective planning could be sought, if that fails the changes to buildings in question should be dismantled.bcfc1903

This development is quirky, edgy and will become an attraction by itself. There will be a new opening at the top of Ivegate where new shops and restaurants will be open by Xmas (this year!). The area will transform. You won't believe me, I know. But just watch...

This development is quirky, edgy and will become an attraction by itself. There will be a new opening at the top of Ivegate where new shops and restaurants will be open by Xmas (this year!). The area will transform. You won't believe me, I know. But just watch...AnOpinion